First patient enrolled in a phase I/II study for IMM-101 in limited metastatic pancreatic cancer patients at Erasmus University Medical Center
Erasmus MC initiates recruitment for new investigator-sponsored phase I/II study to investigate the safety and efficacy of IMM-101 in limited metastatic pancreatic cancer
Uxbridge, UK – 25 March 2021 – Immodulon, the immuno-oncology company, is pleased to announce enrolment of the first patient in MEPANC-1, an investigator-sponsored, multi-centre, phase I/II, open label study in patients with limited metastatic (oligo-metastatic) pancreatic cancer. This study is being conducted in collaboration with Professor van Eijck and his team at the Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam (“Erasmus MC”).
This study follows the initial collaborative study, LAPC-2, a phase I/II study combining IMM-101 with stereotactic radiotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic cancer which has completed its recruitment and is nearing completion. MEPANC-1 is designed to enrol 100 eligible patients and evaluate the safety and efficacy of IMM-101 administered in combination with stereotactic radiotherapy in patients with oligo-metastatic pancreatic cancer, who have either completed at least eight cycles of FOLFIRINOX or who could not tolerate FOLFIRINOX. The primary efficacy endpoint is one-year progression-free survival calculated from the start of the FOLFIRINOX regimen. The study was approved in December 2020 by the local Erasmus MC Medical Ethics Review Committee and the national Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects.
Professor Casper H J van Eijck, hepatobiliary surgeon and Professor in surgery, commented: “We look forward to this new original study which has not been performed before in patients with limited metastatic pancreatic cancer. Since the recruitment in the LAPC-2 study was highly successful, we expect to include patients from all Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Group hospitals within the allocated time frame. We are pleased that Immodulon is providing us with the IMM-101 study drug again as well as their support. We hope that combining IMM-101’s positive effects on the immune system with those of radiotherapy will potentially lead to a major step forward in the search for new and effective treatments for pancreatic cancer.”
Dr. Jaap Kampinga, Chief Executive Officer of Immodulon, commented: “We are extremely pleased to announce our continued collaboration with Professor van Eijck and his team at this Centre of Excellence for pancreatic cancer at Erasmus MC. The MEPANC-1 study is designed to complement the ongoing LAPC-2 study. Immodulon is dedicated and highly motivated to develop better therapies for pancreatic cancer, a vision that is strongly shared by Professor van Eijck and his team. Pancreatic cancer is a devasting disease and remains exceedingly challenging to treat effectively, despite the advances in other cancer treatments.”
Dr. Cellia Habita, Chief Medical Officer of Immodulon, added: “Professor van Eijck and his team are a fantastic group to collaborate with. The MEPANC-1 study recruited its first patient which is exciting news. We hope that IMM-101 may help to improve the prognosis for these patients.”
About Immodulon Therapeutics
Immodulon Therapeutics Ltd. (London, UK) is a privately-owned, clinical-stage, immuno-oncology company primarily focused on the development of safe, effective and novel treatments for cancer. Its lead drug candidate, IMM-101, has shown promise in early clinical trials, demonstrating potential for the platform. It contains heat-killed whole cell Mycobacterium obuense which activates dendritic cells and other cells of the innate immune system predominantly via Toll-like receptor 2. It is Immodulon’s vision that IMM-101 will become a backbone immunotherapy across multiple tumour types. Its unique mechanism of action should not only make this product applicable to a range of cancers but, in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors and any other standard-of care treatment of the four major pillars of cancer therapy – immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radio/ablation therapy and surgery – it is also expected to increase their efficacy without compromising on the patient’s safety and quality of life. For more information about Immodulon, please visit www.immodulon.com .
About Erasmus MC
Erasmus MC is the largest University Medical Center in the Netherlands. Our primary goal is a healthy population. Nearly 13,000 employees devote themselves every day to providing outstanding care, facilitating world-class education and conducting pioneering research. These professionals are instrumental in developing expertise on health and illness. They link the latest scientific insights to practical treatments and prevention measures to provide maximum benefit to patients and to enable healthy people to stay healthy longer. Being visibly better and leading the way in the areas of complex, innovative and acute care by collaborating with others: these are key ambitions at Erasmus MC.
Media contact:
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Dr. Jaap Kampinga, CEO
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Simon Conway / George Kendrick
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